BARS • First Round
The Skinny: The husband and wife team behind Fradei Bistro opened wine bar Entre Nous late last year, bringing natural wines and seasonal French bites to a quiet corner of Clinton Hill.
The Vibe: Co-owners Clément Besset and Allie Prater-Besset drew heavy inspiration from their favorite Paris wine bar, Aux Deux Amis — most notably, that shiny copper bar. Terrazzo floor tiles and sleek midcentury light fixtures draw the eye but don’t overwhelm it. The corner real estate lends a spaciousness that can be hard to come by in a wine bar.
The Food: Small dishes that can be easily cobbled into a meal, with an emphasis on what’s in season. I checked off half of my spring produce bucket list in one meal here: asparagus was tender and blanketed in aioli and shards of Parmesan, while strawberries and rhubarb were melded into a tart blood-red jam inside a galette. Other hits included a silky chicken liver mousse surrounded by a thick layer of salted butter, delicate shreds of Jonah crab, and buttery scallop crudo. There’s also a sizable list of cheeses, all of which are served with sliced baguette from La Bicyclette.
The Drink: A 33-page wine list, mostly French and natural, and at every notch along the funkiness spectrum.
The Verdict: Entre Nous is an impressive newcomer and an unpretentious neighborhood haunt. Your next great date night awaits. –Alice Gilbert
→ Entre Nous (Clinton Hill) • 39 Clifton Pl • Tue-Thu 5-11p, Fri 5p-12a, Sun 3-11p • Reserve.